wilson



(No Model.)

- Gr. S. WILSON.

CARTRIDGE PAOKEE AND CARRIER.

Patented Sept. 1, 1885 N. PETERS Phniu-U'Ihomuimr, Wnhingicn, D. C.

lJNiTn STATES ATENT @rrren.

GEORGE S. "WILSON, THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

CARTRlDGE PACKER AND CARRIER.

SPECIFECATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,372,dated September 1, 1885.

(X0 model.)

T 0 (bZZ whom, it 17mg concern.-

Be it known that l, Gnonen S. Wrrsox, of the United States Army, at present stationed at Sacket-ts Harbor, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cartridge-Packages, of which the following is a specification.

The ordinary way of packing cartridges is to put them up in paper cases, which are at terward packed into boxes for transportation. This mode of putting up cartridges is inconvenient in many respects. The paper cases of cartridges, when served out to the user, must be carried in the knapsack or in the pocket, and after the case is once opened the loose cartridges therein are apt to drop out and be lost.

The object of my invention is to replace the paper case by a device which, while quite as cheap and light as and taking up no more.

room than the present paper case, will hold the cartridges in condition to be much more easily served to the user and carried on the person and to be got at more conveniently than .is the case under existing methods. The manner in which I attain this result can best be explained and understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in whi h Figure l is a front view of the package unrolled and spread out. Fig. 2 is a front view of a portion of the package with the covering or face flap folded over upon the cartridges. Fig. 3 is a view of the pocket-strip. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the package rolled up for transportation.

The material of which the package is composed is cheap thin textile fabric-as, for example, c-onimon cotton cloth. It consists of the body-strip A, the face or covering flap A, and the pocketstrip B. The flap A extends from that edge of the body-strip where the flanged ends of the cartridges are, and is of a size to cover the cartridges when turned down over them. lhebodystripis prolonged ateach end by straps a a, which may be made either in one with or separate from the body-strip, as preferred. The straps are of such length that when their ends are tied together-they may be slung over the shoulder of thesoldier and support the cartridges in a position where they can be conveniently got at. Strip 8 is stitched or otherwise fastened to the body-strip, and has pockets 1), which receive and hold in place the cartridges 0. After the pocket-strip is filled with cartridges the face-flap A is folded over them, and then along its free edge is stitched down or fastened at intervals to the body-strip, as indicated at D. The stitches or i'asteuings are such that, while sufficient to hold the flap in position ordinarily, they can be easily torn or broken by pulling on the flap. Thus when using a package in action the soldier breaks away a fastening or two at a time, exposing only such cartridges as are required for immediate use,while the rest are held in position without liability to drop out. The package now complete is rolled up in a compact bundle, as indicated in Fig. 4, wrapped in paper, and packed with similar bundles in suitable boxes or cases for transportation or storage.

The advantages of this method of packing are many. The expense is no greater than that of the ordinary methods. Cart-ridges served in these packages are ready for use as soon as taken. They can be much more readily and conveniently served. Parties serving the fighting-line tie the ends of straps together at the ammunitionwagon, load themselves with the packages, and, arriving at the line, hand them to the men, who at once slip them over the shoulder in position for use. The fabric adds no weight, for it is not heavier than the paper case now used.

I am of course aware that metallic cartridgebelts-such as the Mills belt and othershave long been in use. My device, however, is not a belt, nor is it designed to take the place of a.- belt. It is distinctively a package or packing-case to take the place of the ordinary stilt paper case at present employed in putting up cartridges for transportation.

\Vhat I claim as new and of my invention 1s 1. A cartridge-package orpacking-case consisting of a strip provided with pockets for holding the individual cartridges, a coveringflap, and end straps, said strip, flaps, and straps being made of thin pliable material. which will permit the cartridges to be rolled up or folded together into a compact bundle, as set forth. 1

2. The hereinbefore-described cartridgepaoking case made of thin pliable material provided with pockets, which will permit the cartridges to be rolled. up or folded on, but

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 10 in presence of two witnesses.

GEO. S. \VILSON. 5 separate from, one another, in the shape of a compact bundle, and having a covering- Witnesses: flap attached at intervals along its free edge U. A. HOUSE, to the body-strip by stitching or other fragile O. H. VAN BRAKLE.

connections, as and for the purposes set forth. 

